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By: Wentworth S.B. No. 1704
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the registration of vehicles and the issuance of
specially designed license plates by the Texas Department of
Transportation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter F, Chapter 502, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 502.2515 to read as follows:
Sec. 502.2515. CONTRACT WITH PRIVATE VENDOR. (a) The
Texas Transportation Commission may authorize the department to
enter into a contract with the private vendor whose proposal is most
advantageous to the state as determined from competitive sealed
proposals for the marketing and sale of:
(1) personalized prestige license plates authorized
by Section 502.251; or
(2) other specialized license plates authorized by
this subchapter.
(b) Instead of the fees established by Section 502.251(c),
if the Texas Transportation Commission authorizes the department to
contract with a private vendor under Subsection (a)(1) for the
marketing and sale of personalized prestige license plates, the
commission by rule shall establish fees for the issuance or renewal
of personalized prestige license plates that are marketed and sold
by the private vendor. Fees must be reasonable and not less than
the greater of:
(1) the amounts necessary to allow the department to
recover all costs to the department associated with the evaluation
of the competitive sealed proposals received by the department and
with the implementation and enforcement of the contract, including
direct, indirect, and administrative costs; or
(2) the amount established by Section 502.251(c).
(c) If the Texas Transportation Commission authorizes the
department to contract with a private vendor under Subsection
(a)(2) for the marketing and sale of other specialized license
plates authorized by this subchapter, including specialized
license plates that may be personalized, the commission by rule
shall establish the fees for the issuance or renewal of specialized
license plates that are marketed and sold by the private vendor.
Fees must be reasonable and not less than the amounts necessary to
allow the department to recover all costs to the department
associated with the evaluation of the competitive sealed proposals
received by the department and with the implementation and
enforcement of the contract, including direct, indirect, and
administrative costs. A fee established under this subsection is
in addition to:
(1) the registration fee and any optional registration
fee prescribed by this chapter for the vehicle for which the
specialized license plates are issued;
(2) any additional fee prescribed by this subchapter
for the issuance of the specialized license plates for that
vehicle; and
(3) any additional fee prescribed by this subchapter
for the issuance of personalized special license plates for that
vehicle.
(d) At any time, as necessary to comply with Subsection (b)
or (c), the Texas Transportation Commission may increase or
decrease the amount of a fee established under the applicable
subsection.
(e) A contract with a private vendor under Subsection (a)(1)
is payable only from amounts derived from the collection of the fee
established under Subsection (b). A contract with a private vendor
under Subsection (a)(2) is payable only from amounts derived from
the collection of the fee established under Subsection (c).
(f) The department may create new design and color
combinations for personalized prestige license plates that are
marketed or sold by a private vendor under a contract entered into
under Subsection (a)(1). Each approved license plate design and
color combination remains the property of the department.
(g) The department may create new design and color
combinations for specialized license plates, including specialized
license plates that may be personalized, that are marketed or sold
by a private vendor under a contract entered into under Subsection
(a)(2). Each approved license plate design and color combination
remains the property of the department. This subsection does not
authorize:
(1) the department to approve a design or color
combination for a specialized license plate that is inconsistent
with the design or color combination specified for the license
plate by the section of this subchapter that authorizes the
issuance of the specialized license plate; or
(2) the private vendor to market or sell a specialized
license plate with a design or color combination that is
inconsistent with the design or color combination specified by that
section.
(h) In connection with a license plate that is marketed or
sold by a private vendor under contract, the department may cancel a
license plate or require the discontinuation of a license plate
design or color combination at any time if the department
determines that the cancellation or discontinuation is in the best
interest of this state or the motoring public.
(i) A contract entered into by the department with a private
vendor under this section:
(1) must comply with any law generally applicable to a
contract for services entered into by the department;
(2) must require the private vendor to render at least
quarterly to the department periodic accounts that accurately
detail all material transactions, including information reasonably
required by the department to support fees that are collected by the
vendor, and to regularly remit all money payable to the department
under the contract; and
(3) may allow or require the private vendor to
establish an electronic infrastructure coordinated and compatible
with the department's registration system, by which motor vehicle
owners may electronically send and receive applications, other
documents, or required payments, and that, when secure access is
necessary, can be electronically validated by the department.
(j) From amounts received by the department, the department
shall deposit to the credit of the state highway fund an amount
sufficient to enable the department to recover its administrative
costs for all license plates issued under this section, including
any payments to the vendor under Subsection (a), and any other
amounts allocated to the state highway fund by another law. To the
extent that disposition of other amounts received from the vendor
are governed by another law, those amounts shall be deposited in
accordance with the other law, and for each type of license plate,
the amount charged for the license plate may not be less than the
amount in effect on January 1, 2003. Any additional amount received
from the vendor shall be deposited to the credit of the general
revenue fund.
(k) The Texas Transportation Commission may authorize the
department to pay a licensing fee for the use of a trademark in
connection with the marketing and sale of a license plate under this
section.
SECTION 2. Subchapter F, Chapter 502, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Sections 502.2524 and 502.2527 to read as
follows:
Sec. 502.2524. CREATION OF NEW SPECIALTY PLATES BY THE
DEPARTMENT. (a) The department may create new specialty license
plates on its own initiative or on receipt of an application from a
potential sponsor. A new specialty plate created under this
section must meet the requirements of Section 502.2526 unless it is
created by the department on its own initiative. The department may
allow a new specialty license plate to be personalized and allow a
new specialty license plate to be issued for any classification of
vehicle.
(b) Any person may sponsor a new specialty plate by
submitting an application. An application may nominate a state
agency to receive funds generated by the new specialty plate. An
application may also identify uses to which the funds generated by
the new specialty plate should be appropriated.
(c) The department shall design each new specialty plate in
consultation with the sponsor, if any, that applies for creation of
that specialty plate. The plate design shall be the exclusive
property of the department. The department may refuse to create a
new specialty plate if the design might be offensive to any member
of the public, if the nominated state agency does not consent to
receipt of the funds generated by the plate, if the uses identified
for the funds could violate any statutory or constitutional
provision, or for any other reason established by the Texas
Transportation Commission. The determination rests in the sole
discretion of the executive director of the department and may not
be overturned in the absence of an abuse of that discretion. At the
request of the sponsor, distribution of the plate may be limited by
the department. If distribution of a specialty plate is limited to
particular persons or vehicles, the application must include
evidence satisfactory to the department that the applicant and the
applicant's vehicle are eligible.
(d) The department shall issue specialty plates created
under this section to a person who:
(1) applies to the county assessor-collector of the
county in which the person resides on a form provided by the
department; and
(2) pays an annual fee of $30, unless otherwise
specified by this chapter or Texas Transportation Commission rule,
in addition to the fee prescribed by Section 502.161 and, if
personalized prestige license plates are issued, in addition to the
fee prescribed by Section 502.251.
(e) Of each fee collected under Subsection (d), the county
assessor-collector shall retain 50 cents for deposit to the credit
of the general fund of the county to pay the costs of administering
this section by the county and send the remainder to the department.
Of each $29.50 received by the department:
(1) $7.50 shall be deposited to the credit of the state
highway fund to reimburse the department for its administrative
costs in producing the specialty plate; and
(2) $22 shall be deposited to the credit of:
(A) the specialty license plate account in the
general revenue fund, if the sponsor nominated a state agency to
receive the money; or
(B) the state highway fund.
(f) Subchapter D, Chapter 316, Government Code, and Section
403.095, Government Code, do not apply to fees collected under this
section.
(g) The department may report to the legislature at any time
concerning implementation of this section. The report may include
recommendations concerning the appropriations, by amount, state
agency, and uses, that would be necessary to implement the requests
of sponsors.
(h) If a sponsor does not name a state agency to receive the
funds or if there is no sponsor, the department may license a
trademark for inclusion within the design of the plates and may pay
a fee for the trademark license.
(i) If the specialty plates issued under this section are
lost, stolen, or mutilated, the owner of the vehicle for which the
plates were issued may obtain replacement plates from the
department by paying the replacement fee prescribed by Section
502.184(a)(2). If the owner of a vehicle registered under this
section disposes of the vehicle during the registration year, the
owner shall return the specialty plates to the department. The
owner of the vehicle for which the plates were issued may not
transfer the license plates to another person or vehicle unless the
department first approves the transfer.
(j) The Texas Transportation Commission shall adopt rules
and the department shall issue forms to implement this section.
(k) The department may prorate the fee for a specialty
license plate issued under this section on a monthly basis to align
the license plate fee to the registration period for the motor
vehicle for which the license plate was issued, and if a fee is
prorated, the allocation of the fee by this chapter to an account or
fund shall be prorated in proportion.
(l) The executive director of the department may refuse to
issue a specialty license plate with a design or alphanumeric
pattern that the director considers potentially objectionable to
one or more members of the public and the director's refusal may not
be overturned in the absence of an abuse of discretion.
Sec. 502.2527. SOUVENIR LICENSE PLATES. (a) The
department may issue a souvenir version of any specialty license
plate.
(b) The fee for a single souvenir license plate is $10. If
the souvenir license plate is personalized, the fee for the plate is
$30.
(c) A souvenir license plate may not be used on a motor
vehicle and is not an insignia of registration for a motor vehicle.
Each souvenir license plate must be identified by the department in
a way that identifies it to law enforcement officers and others as a
souvenir license plate.
(d) Of each fee collected under this section, $10 shall be
deposited to the credit of the state highway fund.
SECTION 3. Subsection (c), Section 502.254, Transportation
Code, is amended to read as follows:
(c) License plates issued under this section must include:
(1) the letters "DV" as a prefix or suffix to the
numerals on the plate; [and]
(2) the words "DISABLED VETERAN [VET.]"; and
(3) the words "U.S. Armed Forces" at the bottom of each
plate.
SECTION 4. Subchapter F, Chapter 502, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 502.2581 to read as follows:
Sec. 502.2581. AIRBORNE PARACHUTIST LICENSE PLATES.
(a) The department shall issue specially designed license plates
for passenger cars and light trucks owned by active, retired, or
honorably discharged members of the United States armed forces who
have:
(1) satisfactorily completed the prescribed
proficiency tests while assigned or attached to an airborne unit or
the Airborne Department of the United States Army Infantry School;
or
(2) participated in at least one combat parachute
jump.
(b) License plates issued under this section must include a
likeness of the parachutist badge authorized by the Department of
the Army.
(c) The department shall issue license plates under this
section to a person who:
(1) applies to the department on a form prescribed by
the department;
(2) pays the annual fee prescribed by Subsection (d),
in addition to the fee prescribed by Section 502.161, and, if
personalized prestige license plates are issued, in addition to the
fee prescribed by Section 502.251; and
(3) submits proof that the person is eligible under
this section.
(d) The annual fee for issuance of license plates under this
section is:
(1) $10 for the first set of license plates; and
(2) $15 for each additional set of license plates.
(e) If the owner of a vehicle registered under this section
disposes of the vehicle during the registration year, the owner
shall return the special license plates to the department. The
owner may then apply for issuance of those plates to another
vehicle.
(f) Fees collected under this section shall be deposited to
the credit of the state highway fund.
SECTION 5. Subchapter F, Chapter 502, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 502.2601 to read as follows:
Sec. 502.2601. DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS MEDAL
RECIPIENTS. (a) The department shall issue specially designed
license plates for passenger cars and light trucks owned by
recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross medal.
(b) The license plates must bear a depiction of the
Distinguished Flying Cross medal and the words "Distinguished
Flying Cross" at the bottom of each plate.
(c) The department shall issue license plates under this
section to a person who:
(1) applies to the county tax assessor-collector of
the county in which the person resides on a form provided by the
department;
(2) pays an annual fee of $3 in addition to the fee
prescribed by Section 502.161 and, if personalized prestige license
plates are issued, in addition to the fee prescribed by Section
502.251; and
(3) submits proof that the person has been awarded the
Distinguished Flying Cross medal.
(d) If the owner of a vehicle registered under this section
disposes of the vehicle during the registration year, the owner
shall return the special license plates to the department. The
owner may then apply for issuance of those plates to another
vehicle.
(e) Fees collected under this section shall be deposited to
the credit of the state highway fund.
SECTION 6. Subchapter F, Chapter 502, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 502.2651 to read as follows:
Sec. 502.2651. ENDURING FREEDOM VETERANS. (a) The
department shall issue specially designed license plates for
passenger cars and light trucks owned by persons who served in the
United States armed forces and participated in Operation Enduring
Freedom.
(b) License plates issued under this section must include
the words "Enduring Freedom."
(c) The department shall issue license plates under this
section to a person who:
(1) applies to the department on a form prescribed by
the department;
(2) pays the fee prescribed by Section 502.161, and,
if personalized prestige license plates are issued, the fee
prescribed by Section 502.251; and
(3) submits proof that the person:
(A) served in the United States armed forces and
participated in Operation Enduring Freedom; and
(B) is:
(i) an honorably discharged veteran of the
United States armed forces or reserve component of the United
States armed forces; or
(ii) a member of the United States armed
forces, the Texas National Guard, or a reserve component of the
United States armed forces.
(d) If the owner of a vehicle registered under this section
disposes of the vehicle during the registration year, the owner
shall return the special license plates to the department. The
owner may then apply for issuance of those plates to another
vehicle.
(e) Section 502.2526 does not apply to this section.
SECTION 7. (a) Subchapter F, Chapter 502, Transportation
Code, is amended by adding Section 502.2664 to read as follows:
Sec. 502.2664. UNITED WE STAND LICENSE PLATES. (a) The
department shall issue specially designed patriotic license plates
for passenger cars and light trucks to support the Texas Military
Preparedness Grant Account.
(b) The license plates must bear the words "United We Stand"
and use only the colors red, white, blue, and black.
(c) The department shall issue license plates under this
section to a person who:
(1) applies to the tax assessor-collector of the
county in which the person resides on the form for original
registration or annual renewal of registration provided by the
department; and
(2) pays an annual fee of $30, in addition to the fee
prescribed by Section 502.161 and, if personalized prestige license
plates are issued, in addition to the fee prescribed by Section
502.251.
(d) The department shall deposit $22 of each fee collected
under this section to the credit of the Texas Military Preparedness
Grant Account in the general revenue fund and $8 shall be deposited
to the credit of the state highway fund and used by the department
only to defray the cost of administering this section.
(b) Subsection (a) of this section takes effect only if
another Act of the 78th Legislature, Regular Session, 2003, creates
the Texas Military Preparedness Grant Account and becomes law. If
no Act of the 78th Legislature, Regular Session, 2003, creates that
account and becomes law, Subsection (a) of this section has no
effect.
SECTION 8. Subchapter F, Chapter 502, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 502.2705 to read as follows:
Sec. 502.2705. TEXAS PGA JUNIOR GOLF LICENSE PLATES.
(a) The department shall issue specially designed "Texas PGA
Junior Golf" license plates for passenger cars and light trucks.
(b) The department shall design the license plates in
consultation with Texas PGA Junior Golf.
(c) The department shall issue license plates under this
section to a person who:
(1) applies to the county assessor-collector of the
county in which the person resides on a form provided by the
department; and
(2) pays an annual fee of $30, in addition to the fee
prescribed by Section 502.161 and, if personalized prestige license
plates are issued, in addition to the fee prescribed by Section
502.251.
(d) Of each fee collected under this section:
(1) $22 shall be deposited to the credit of the general
revenue fund and used only by the Parks and Wildlife Department in
making grants to benefit Texas PGA Junior Golf for the purpose of
providing scholarships to students; and
(2) $8 shall be deposited to the credit of the state
highway fund and used by the department only to defray the cost of
administering this section.
SECTION 9. Subsections (a) and (d), Section 502.2732,
Transportation Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), the department
shall issue specially designed license plates for motorcycles,
passenger cars, and light trucks to support the activities of a
nonprofit organization designated by the Parks and Wildlife
Department that has as its principal purpose the improvement or
preservation of Big Bend National Park.
(d) The department shall issue license plates under this
section to a person who:
(1) applies to the county assessor-collector of the
county in which the person resides on a form provided by the
department; and
(2) pays a fee of $30 [$50] for an original issuance of
license plates under this section or $30 [$40] for a renewal of
issuance of license plates under this section, in addition to the
fee prescribed by Section 502.160, 502.161, or 502.162, and, if
personalized prestige license plates are issued, in addition to the
fee prescribed by Section 502.251.
SECTION 10. Section 502.2734, Transportation Code, is
amended by amending Subsections (a), (c), and (g) and adding
Subsection (i) to read as follows:
(a) The department shall issue one or more specially
designed conservation license plates for the following vehicles
[passenger cars and light trucks] to support Texas Parks and
Wildlife Department activities:
(1) passenger cars and light trucks;
(2) trailers used primarily for the transport of
watercraft as defined by Section 49.01, Penal Code;
(3) vehicles primarily designed as temporary living
quarters for recreational camping or travel use, including travel
trailers, travel semitrailers, camping trailers, camping
semitrailers, and motor homes;
(4) farm tractors, farm trailers, and farm
semitrailers; and
(5) truck-tractors, semitrailers, and commercial
motor vehicles.
(c) The department shall issue license plates under this
section to a person who:
(1) applies to the county assessor-collector of the
county in which the person resides on an original or renewal
registration application form provided by the department; and
(2) pays an annual fee of $25, in addition to the fee
prescribed by Section 502.161, 502.162, 502.163, 502.166, or
502.167, and, if personalized prestige license plates are issued,
in addition to the fee prescribed by Section 502.251.
(g) There is no limit to the number of vehicles [passenger
cars or light trucks] for which a person may apply for the issuance
of license plates under this section.
(i) The department may vary the design of license plates
issued under this section according to the type of vehicle for which
the license plates are issued.
SECTION 11. Subchapter F, Chapter 502, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 502.2736 to read as follows:
Sec. 502.2736. AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION LICENSE PLATES.
(a) The department shall issue specially designed license plates
for passenger cars and light trucks that bear the words "Air Force
Association."
(b) The department shall design the license plates in
consultation with the Air Force Association of Texas.
(c) The department shall issue license plates under this
section to a person who:
(1) applies to the assessor-collector of the county in
which the person resides on a form provided by the department; and
(2) pays an annual fee of $30, in addition to the fee
prescribed by Section 502.161 and, if personalized prestige license
plates are issued, in addition to the fee prescribed by Section
502.251.
(d) Of each fee collected under Subsection (c)(2), $8 shall
be deposited to the credit of the state highway fund and used by the
department only to defray the cost of administering this section.
The department shall deposit the remainder of each fee collected to
the credit of the Air Force Association of Texas account in the
state treasury. Money in the account may be used by the Texas
Veterans Commission in making grants to benefit projects sponsored
by the Air Force Association of Texas.
(e) If the owner of a vehicle for which license plates were
issued under this section disposes of the vehicle during a
registration year, the owner shall return the special license
plates to the department.
SECTION 12. (a) Subchapter F, Chapter 502, Transportation
Code, is amended by adding Section 502.2737 to read as follows:
Sec. 502.2737. TEXAS STATE RIFLE ASSOCIATION LICENSE
PLATES. Notwithstanding Section 502.273(e), if the department
issues Texas State Rifle Association license plates under Section
502.273, the fee for issuance of those plates is $30. The
department shall use $8 of the annual fee collected for each set of
those license plates only to defray the cost of administering this
section and shall deposit this amount to the credit of the state
highway fund. The remainder of the fee shall be deposited to the
credit of an account in the general revenue fund and may be
appropriated only to The Texas A&M University System to supplement
existing and future scholarship programs supported by the Texas
State Rifle Association and to provide grants to 4-H Club shooting
sports programs to promote safety education.
(b) Section 502.2737, Transportation Code, as added by
Subsection (a) of this section, applies only to an annual fee for
the issuance of Texas State Rifle Association license plates that
is collected on or after that date.
SECTION 13. Subchapter F, Chapter 502, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 502.2738 to read as follows:
Sec. 502.2738. URBAN FORESTRY LICENSE PLATES. (a) The
department shall issue specially designed license plates for
passenger cars and light trucks.
(b) The department shall design the license plates in
consultation with any organization described in Subsection (d).
(c) The department shall issue license plates under this
section to a person who:
(1) applies to the assessor-collector of the county in
which the person resides on a form provided by the department; and
(2) pays an annual fee of $30, in addition to the fee
prescribed by Section 502.161 and, if personalized prestige license
plates are issued, in addition to the fee prescribed by Section
502.251.
(d) Of each fee collected under Subsection (c)(2), $8 shall
be deposited to the credit of the state highway fund and used by the
department only to defray the cost of administering this section.
The department shall deposit the remainder of each fee collected to
the credit of the urban forestry account in the state treasury.
Money in the account may be used by the Texas Forest Service in
making grants to support the activities of a nonprofit organization
located in Texas whose primary purpose is to sponsor projects
involving urban and community:
(1) tree planting;
(2) tree preservation; and
(3) tree education programs.
(e) If the owner of a vehicle for which license plates were
issued under this section disposes of the vehicle during a
registration year, the owner shall return the special license
plates to the department.
SECTION 14. Subchapter F, Chapter 502, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 502.2739 to read as follows:
Sec. 502.2739. SHARE THE ROAD LICENSE PLATES. (a) The
department shall issue specially designed license plates for
passenger cars and light trucks that include:
(1) the words "Share The Road"; and
(2) an image of a bicycle or a bicycle with a rider.
(b) The department shall design the license plates in
consultation with the Texas Bicycle Coalition Education Fund.
(c) The department shall issue license plates under this
section to a person who:
(1) applies to the assessor-collector of the county in
which the person resides on a form provided by the department; and
(2) pays an annual fee of $30, in addition to the fee
prescribed by Section 502.161, and if personalized prestige license
plates are issued, in addition to the fee prescribed by Section
502.251.
(d) Of each fee collected under Subsection (c)(2):
(1) $8 shall be deposited to the credit of the state
highway fund and used by the department only to defray the cost of
administering:
(A) this section; and
(B) any bicycle-related programs of the
department;
(2) $5 shall be deposited to the credit of an account
in the general revenue fund that may be appropriated only to the
Texas Education Agency to promote motorist awareness of bicyclists
in driver and traffic safety education; and
(3) $17 shall be deposited to the credit of the share
the road account in the state treasury to be used by the Texas
Education Agency to support the activities of a nonprofit
organization whose primary purpose is to promote bicyclist safety,
education, and access through:
(A) education and awareness programs; and
(B) training, workshops, educational materials,
and media events.
(e) Up to 25 percent of the amount in Subsection (d)(3) may
be used to support the activities of the nonprofit organization in
marketing and promoting the share the road concept and license
plates.
(f) The Texas Education Agency may establish reporting and
other mechanisms necessary to ensure that the money collected under
this section is spent for purposes for which it is dedicated.
(g) If the owner of a vehicle registered under this section
disposes of the vehicle during the registration year, the owner
shall return the special license plates to the department.
SECTION 15. Subchapter F, Chapter 502, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 502.2741 to read as follows:
Sec. 502.2741. SAN ANTONIO MISSIONS NATIONAL HISTORICAL
PARK LICENSE PLATES. (a) The department shall issue specially
designed San Antonio Missions National Historical Park license
plates for passenger cars and light trucks.
(b) The department shall design the license plates in
consultation with Los Compadres de San Antonio Missions National
Historical Park.
(c) The department shall issue license plates under this
section to a person who:
(1) applies to the county assessor-collector of the
county in which the person resides on a form provided by the
department; and
(2) pays an annual fee of $30, in addition to the fee
prescribed by Section 502.161, and, if personalized prestige
license plates are issued, in addition to the fee prescribed by
Section 502.251.
(d) The department shall deposit $22 of each fee collected
under this section to the credit of Los Compadres de San Antonio
Missions National Historical Park account in the state treasury.
Money in the account may be used only by the Texas Historical
Commission in making grants to Los Compadres de San Antonio
Missions National Historical Park to be used for the purpose of the
preservation and rehabilitation of the San Antonio Missions
National Historical Park.
(e) The remainder of each fee collected under this section,
after deposit as provided by Subsection (d), shall be deposited to
the credit of the state highway fund and used only to defray the
cost of administering this section.
(f) If the owner of a vehicle registered under this section
disposes of the vehicle during the registration year, the owner
shall return the special license plates to the department.
SECTION 16. Subchapter F, Chapter 502, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 502.2742 to read as follows:
Sec. 502.2742. EL PASO MISSION VALLEY LICENSE PLATES.
(a) The department shall issue specially designed El Paso Mission
Valley license plates for passenger cars and light trucks.
(b) The department shall design the license plates in
consultation with the Socorro Mission Restoration Effort.
(c) The department shall issue license plates under this
section to a person who:
(1) applies to the county assessor-collector of the
county in which the person resides on a form provided by the
department; and
(2) pays an annual fee of $30, in addition to the fee
prescribed by Section 502.161, and, if personalized prestige
license plates are issued, in addition to the fee prescribed by
Section 502.251.
(d) The department shall deposit $22 of each fee collected
under this section to the credit of the El Paso Mission Restoration
account in the state treasury. Money in the account may be used
only by the Texas Historical Commission in making grants to the
Socorro Mission Restoration Effort to be used for the purpose of the
preservation and rehabilitation of the Socorro Mission.
(e) The remainder of each fee collected under this section,
after deposit as provided by Subsection (d), shall be deposited to
the credit of the state highway fund and used only to defray the
cost of administering this section.
(f) If the owner of a vehicle registered under this section
disposes of the vehicle during the registration year, the owner
shall return the special license plates to the department.
SECTION 17. Subchapter F, Chapter 502, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 502.2762 to read as follows:
Sec. 502.2762. COTTON BOLL LICENSE PLATES. (a) The
department shall issue specially designed cotton boll license
plates for the following vehicles:
(1) farm vehicles, including farm truck-tractors,
farm trailers, and farm semitrailers;
(2) passenger cars and light trucks; and
(3) truck-tractors, semitrailers, and other
commercial motor vehicles.
(b) The license plates must depict a graphic image of a
cotton boll and be designed by the department in consultation with
Texas Cotton Producers, Incorporated.
(c) The department shall issue license plates under this
section to a person who:
(1) applies to the county assessor-collector of the
county in which the person resides on a form provided by the
department; and
(2) pays an annual fee of $30, in addition to the fee
prescribed by Section 502.161, 502.162, 502.163, or 502.166 and, if
personalized prestige license plates are issued, in addition to the
fee prescribed by Section 502.251.
(d) Of each fee collected under this section:
(1) $22 shall be deposited to the credit of the general
revenue fund and used only by the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board in making grants to benefit Texas Cotton
Producers, Incorporated, for the sole purpose of providing
scholarships to students who are pursuing a degree in an
agricultural field related to the cotton industry while enrolled in
an institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003,
Education Code; and
(2) $8 shall be deposited to the credit of the state
highway fund and used by the department only to defray the cost of
administering this section.
SECTION 18. Subchapter F, Chapter 502, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 502.2934 to read as follows:
Sec. 502.2934. DAUGHTERS OF THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS LICENSE
PLATES. (a) The department shall issue specially designed
Daughters of the Republic of Texas license plates for passenger
cars and light trucks.
(b) The license plates must include the words "Native Texan"
and be of a color, quality, and design approved by the Daughters of
the Republic of Texas.
(c) The department shall issue license plates under this
section to a person who:
(1) applies to the county assessor-collector of the
county in which the person resides on a form provided by the
department; and
(2) pays an annual fee of $30, in addition to the fee
prescribed by Section 502.161, and, if personalized prestige
license plates are issued, in addition to the fee prescribed by
Section 502.251.
(d) The department shall deposit $22 of each fee collected
under this section to the credit of the Daughters of the Republic of
Texas account in the state treasury. Money in the account may be
used only by the Texas Department of Economic Development or its
successor agency in making grants to the Daughters of the Republic
of Texas to be used only for the purpose of:
(1) preserving Texas historic sites; or
(2) funding educational programs that teach Texas
history.
(e) The remainder of each fee collected under this section,
after deposit as provided by Subsection (d), shall be deposited to
the credit of the state highway fund and used only to defray the
cost of administering this section.
(f) If the owner of a vehicle registered under this section
disposes of the vehicle during the registration year, the owner
shall return the special license plates to the department.
SECTION 19. Subchapter F, Chapter 502, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 502.2935 to read as follows:
Sec. 502.2935. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS. (a) The department
shall issue specially designed Knights of Columbus license plates
for passenger cars and light trucks.
(b) The license plates must include the emblem of the Order
of the Knights of Columbus and the words "Knights of Columbus."
(c) The department shall design the license plates in
consultation with the Knights of Columbus.
(d) The department shall issue license plates under this
section to a person who:
(1) applies to the county tax assessor-collector of
the county in which the person resides on a form provided by the
department; and
(2) pays an annual fee of $30 in addition to the fee
prescribed by Section 502.161 and, if personalized prestige license
plates are issued, in addition to the fee prescribed by Section
502.251.
(e) Of each fee collected under Subsection (d):
(1) $22 shall be deposited to the credit of the State
Council Charities account in the general revenue fund to be used
only by the Texas Education Agency to make grants to State Council
Charities to carry out the purposes of that organization; and
(2) $8 shall be deposited to the credit of the state
highway fund and used by the department only to defray the cost of
administering this section.
(f) If the owner of a vehicle registered under this section
disposes of the vehicle during the registration year, the owner
shall return the special license plates to the department.
SECTION 20. Subsections (a), (b), (c), and (e), Section
502.2951, Transportation Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a) The department shall design and provide for the issuance
of special license plates for passenger cars and light trucks that
are owned by persons who are county judges of this state or retired
county judges of this state.
(b) License plates issued [to county judges] under this
section shall bear the words "County Judge."
(c) The department shall issue license plates under this
section to a person who:
(1) applies to the county tax collector in the county
of the person's residence on a form prescribed by the department;
(2) pays the fee prescribed by Subsection (d); and
(3) submits with the application proof that the person
is a county judge of this state or a retired county judge of this
state.
(e) Registration under this section is valid for one year
and expires in the same manner as do regular motor vehicle
registrations[, except as provided by Subsection (f)].
SECTION 21. Subchapter F, Chapter 502, Transportation
Code, is amended by adding Section 502.2952 to read as follows:
Sec. 502.2952. TEXAS CONSTABLE LICENSE PLATES. (a) The
department shall design and provide for the issuance of special
license plates for a passenger car or light truck that is owned by a
person who is a constable or deputy constable of this state.
(b) License plates issued under this section shall bear the
words "Texas Constable."
(c) The department shall issue license plates under this
section to a person who:
(1) applies to the county tax collector in the county
of the person's residence on a form prescribed by the department;
(2) pays the fee prescribed by Subsection (d); and
(3) submits with the application proof that the person
is a constable or deputy constable of this state.
(d) The fee for registration under this section and issuance
of the special license plates is the fee otherwise prescribed by
this chapter for the vehicle.
(e) Registration under this section is valid for one year
and expires in the same manner as do regular motor vehicle
registrations, except as provided by Subsection (f).
(f) Registration under this section expires when the owner
of the vehicle for which the special plates were issued ceases to be
a constable or deputy constable. The owner shall return the special
license plates to the department.
(g) If the owner of a vehicle for which plates are issued
under this section disposes of the vehicle during a registration
year, the person shall return the special plates to the department
and at that time may apply for issuance of those plates to another
vehicle.
SECTION 22. Subchapter F, Chapter 502, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 502.2991 to read as follows:
Sec. 502.2991. TEXAS MUSIC. (a) The department shall
issue specially designed license plates for passenger cars and
light trucks to support the activities of the Austin Music
Foundation, other Texas-based nonprofit members of its Affiliates
Program, and the Texas Music Office.
(b) The license plates must bear the words "Texas Music" and
be of a color, design, appearance, and quality acceptable to and
approved by the Austin Music Foundation in consultation with the
department.
(c) The department shall issue license plates under this
section to a person who:
(1) applies to the county assessor-collector of the
county in which the person resides on a form provided by the
department; and
(2) pays an annual fee of $30 for an original issuance
of license plates under this section or $30 for a renewal of
issuance of license plates under this section, in addition to the
fee prescribed by Section 502.161 and, if personalized prestige
license plates are issued, in addition to the fee prescribed by
Section 502.251.
(d) Of each fee collected under Subsection (c)(2), $8 shall
be deposited to the credit of the state highway fund and used by the
department only to defray the cost of administering this section.
The department shall deposit the remainder of each fee collected to
the credit of the Austin Music Foundation account established by
Section 7.026, Education Code.
(e) If the owner of a vehicle for which license plates were
issued under this section disposes of the vehicle during a
registration year, the owner shall return the special license
plates to the department.
SECTION 23. Subchapter F, Chapter 502, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 502.300 to read as follows:
Sec. 502.300. SPACE SHUTTLE COLUMBIA LICENSE PLATES.
(a) The department shall issue specially designed "Space Shuttle
Columbia" license plates for passenger cars and light trucks.
(b) The department shall design the license plates in
consultation with the Aviation and Space Foundation of Texas.
(c) The department shall issue license plates under this
section to a person who:
(1) applies to the county assessor-collector of the
county in which the person resides on a form provided by the
department; and
(2) pays an annual fee of $30 and, if personalized
prestige license plates are issued, the fee prescribed by Section
502.251.
(d) Of each fee collected under this section:
(1) $22 shall be deposited to the credit of the general
revenue fund and used only by the Texas Aerospace Commission or its
successor agency in making grants to benefit the Aviation and Space
Foundation of Texas for the purposes of furthering aviation and
space activities in Texas and providing Columbia Crew memorial
scholarships to students; and
(2) $8 shall be deposited to the credit of the state
highway fund and used by the department only to defray the cost of
administering this section.
(e) If license plates issued under this section are lost,
stolen, or mutilated, the owner of the vehicle for which the license
plates were issued may obtain replacement plates from the
department by paying a replacement fee of $5. If the owner of a
vehicle registered under this section disposes of the vehicle
during the registration year, the owner shall return the special
license plates to the department.
SECTION 24. Subsection (c), Section 502.303,
Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:
(c) The department shall issue license plates under this
section to a person who:
(1) applies to the county assessor-collector of the
county in which the person resides on a form provided by the
department; and
(2) pays a fee of $25 [$50] for an original issuance or
renewal of issuance of license plates under this section [or $40 for
a renewal of issuance of license plates under this section], in
addition to the fee prescribed by Section 502.161 or 502.162, and,
if personalized prestige license plates are issued, in addition to
the fee prescribed by Section 502.251.
SECTION 25. Subchapter F, Chapter 502, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 502.305 to read as follows:
Sec. 502.305. "BE A BLOOD DONOR" LICENSE PLATES. (a) The
department shall issue specially designed "Be a Blood Donor"
license plates for passenger cars and light trucks.
(b) The department shall design the license plates in
consultation with the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center in Houston.
(c) The department shall issue license plates under this
section to a person who:
(1) applies to the county tax assessor-collector of
the county in which the person resides on a form provided by the
department; and
(2) pays an annual fee of $30 in addition to the fee
prescribed by Section 502.161, and, if personalized prestige plates
are issued, in addition to the fee prescribed by Section 502.251.
(d) Of each fee collected under Subsection (c), $8 shall be
deposited to the credit of the state highway fund and used by the
department only to defray the cost of administering this section.
The department shall deposit the remainder of each fee collected to
the credit of the be a blood donor account under Section 162.016,
Health and Safety Code.
(e) If the owner of a vehicle registered under this section
disposes of the vehicle during the registration year, the owner
shall return the special license plates to the department.
SECTION 26. Subchapter F, Chapter 502, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 502.310 to read as follows:
Sec. 502.310. TEXAS COUNTY CHILD WELFARE BOARDS. (a) The
department shall issue specially designed Texas County Child
Welfare Boards license plates for passenger cars and light trucks.
(b) The department shall design the license plates in
consultation with the Texas Council of Child Welfare Boards,
Incorporated.
(c) The department shall issue license plates under this
section to a person who:
(1) applies to the county tax assessor-collector of
the county in which the person resides on a form provided by the
department; and
(2) pays an annual fee of $30, in addition to the fee
prescribed by Section 502.161 and, if personalized prestige license
plates are issued, in addition to the fee prescribed by Section
502.251.
(d) Of each fee collected under Subsection (c), the
department shall:
(1) deposit $22 to the credit of a special account for
abused and neglected children established at the Department of
Protective and Regulatory Services; and
(2) use $8 only to defray the cost of administering
this section and shall deposit this amount to the credit of the
state highway fund.
(e) Money deposited to the credit of the Department of
Protective and Regulatory Services special account may be used only
by that department to fund programs and services supporting abused
and neglected children pursuant to Section 264.004, Family Code.
(f) If the owner of a vehicle registered under this section
disposes of the vehicle during the registration year, the owner
shall return the special license plates to the department.
SECTION 27. Subchapter B, Chapter 7, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 7.026 to read as follows:
Sec. 7.026. AUSTIN MUSIC FOUNDATION ACCOUNT. (a) The
Austin Music Foundation account is established as a separate
account in the general revenue fund. The account is composed of
money deposited to the credit of the account under Section
502.2991, Transportation Code. Money in that account may be used
only for the purposes of this section.
(b) The Music, Film, Television, and Multimedia Office in
the governor's office shall administer the account. The agency may
spend money credited to the account only to make grants to benefit
the educational and community programs sponsored by the Austin
Music Foundation and other Texas-based nonprofit members of the
Austin Music Foundation's Affiliates Program. An administration
fee of $5 per plate shall be retained by the Music, Film,
Television, and Multimedia Office for performance of
administrative duties.
SECTION 28. Chapter 162, Health and Safety Code, is amended
by adding Sections 162.016 and 162.017 to read as follows:
Sec. 162.016. BE A BLOOD DONOR ACCOUNT. (a) The be a blood
donor account is a separate account in the general revenue fund.
The account is composed of:
(1) money deposited to the credit of the account under
Section 502.305, Transportation Code; and
(2) gifts, grants, donations, and legislative
appropriations.
(b) The department administers the account and may spend
money credited to the account only to:
(1) make grants to nonprofit blood centers in this
state for programs to recruit and retain volunteer blood donors;
and
(2) defray the cost of administering the account.
(c) The board:
(1) may accept gifts, grants, and donations from any
source for the benefit of the account; and
(2) by rule shall establish guidelines for spending
money credited to the account.
Sec. 162.017. BE A BLOOD DONOR ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
(a) The commissioner shall appoint a five-member Be a Blood Donor
Advisory Committee composed of:
(1) one volunteer blood donor who has given at least
one gallon of blood in the two years preceding the appointment;
(2) two representatives from nonprofit blood centers;
(3) one person who has received a blood transfusion in
the five years preceding the appointment; and
(4) one representative from the department.
(b) The commissioner shall designate one member as
presiding officer of the committee.
(c) The committee shall:
(1) meet at least annually or as called by the
commissioner;
(2) assist the board in establishing guidelines for
the expenditure of money credited to the be a blood donor account;
and
(3) review and make recommendations to the department
on applications submitted to the department for grants funded with
money credited to the be a blood donor account.
(d) Members of the committee serve without compensation and
are not entitled to reimbursement for expenses. Members of the
committee serve staggered four-year terms, with the terms of as
near one-half as possible of the members expiring on January 31 of
each even-numbered year.
SECTION 29. Subsection (f), Section 502.2951, and
Subsection (d), Section 502.303, Transportation Code, are
repealed.
SECTION 30. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.